Authority vs. Market


In the vast majority of cases, the word "salvation" in the Bible refers not to what happens when you die, but to a peaceful and prosperous society. Seeking "salvation" in this social/Biblical sense at the hands of the creature rather than the Creator is the root error of socialism, communism, fascism, Keynesianism, and other -isms.

1 Samuel 8 says that the desire for a creature as king, lawgiver, and judge is a rejection of the Creator (cf. Isaiah 33:22). Psalm 2 therefore indicates that to "kiss the Son" is to abdicate; it is to move from a socialist or "mixed" economy to 100% pure laissez-faire capitalism.

The messianic State is a crude imitation of a religion of redemption. It makes the State the healer and, ultimately, the savior of all mankind. This messianic religion is what the early church battled theologically and risked martyrdom to oppose. Christians refused to toss a pinch of incense onto the altar symbolizing the genius of the emperor. For that seemingly minor resistance to State power, they were thrown to the lions. Both sides knew the stakes of that contest. Christianity was a dagger pointed at the heart of the messianic State.
-- Gary North, "Authentic Libertarianism"

It is not the size of the State that makes it messianic. The very concept of "the State" is idolatry. The smallest conceivable state claims the right to violate God's command against theft ("taxation"). The smallest conceivable state claims the right to violate God's command against violence. "Authority" is not a free-market contract. "Authority" is a religious concept. "Authority" in the hands of the creature is a rejection of the Creator (Romans 1:25). "Authority" is idolatry.

HOW TO IMMUNIZE PRESBYTERIANISM
https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/html/gncf/appendix_b.htm

Covenants and Dates
https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/a_pdfs/newslet/jordan/9409.pdf

The Covenantal Structure of Service
https://www.garynorth.com/public/14845.cfm
https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/a_pdfs/newslet/bet/8902.pdf

OATH AND SANCTIONS
https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/html/gnsd/Chapter16.htm
SANCTIONS AND DOMINION - AN ECONOMIC COMMENTARY ON NUMBERS

Economic Responsibility: A Covenantal View
https://www.garynorth.com/public/16771.cfm

Chapter 2: The Covenant Model
https://www.garynorth.com/public/19874.cfm

Economic Responsibility: A Covenantal View
https://www.garynorth.com/public/16771.cfm

Johnny Concho vs. Social Contract Theory
https://www.garynorth.com/public/18021.cfm

Rothbard's Defense of Contractual Limited Liability
https://www.garynorth.com/public/19267.cfm

Jews, Scots, Armenians, Dutch
https://www.garynorth.com/public/18971.cfm

Chapter 23: Capital and Culture
https://www.garynorth.com/public/16722.cfm
Christian Economics: Teacher's Edition

Robert Nisbet: Conservative Sociologist
https://www.garynorth.com/public/18426.cfm

Rev. Jim Wallis: Another Victim of the Rockefeller Strategy
https://www.garynorth.com/public/10594.cfm

Covenant: Until Death
https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/a_pdfs/newslet/sutton/8705.pdf

THE COVENANTAL STRUCTURE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMICS
https://www.garynorth.com/CovenantalEconomics.pdf

INHERITANCE AND DOMINION: AN ECONOMIC COMMENTARY ON DEUTERONOMY
COLLATERAL, SERVITUDE, AND DIGNITY
https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/html/gnde/Chapter58.htm

Insurance and Common Grace
https://www.garynorth.com/public/14658.cfm

The Bully Theory of the State - Gary North
https://www.garynorth.com/public/12688.cfm

"From Covenant to Contract: Pietism and Secularism in Puritan New England, 1691-1720," Symposium on Puritanism and Society (1979-80)
https://www.garynorth.com/public/16393.cfm